Cadillac Catera and Cimarron Forum Discussion, aftermarket stereo install for 00-01 Catera in Past Cadillac Vehicle Discussion; Ok, since there is nothing on the forum about how to install an aftermarket stereo in a 2000-2001 catera, I'm ...

aftermarket stereo install for 00-01 Catera

Ok, since there is nothing on the forum about how to install an aftermarket stereo in a 2000-2001 catera, I'm gonna share my experience. Unless theres a magical kit that fits perfect, you'll have to modify it to make it work. The install kit I bought was by Best Kits. It says its for a 96-01 Catera/ Deville/Grand Prix. This is the brand a lot of installers sell. I bought it from a professional shop.

As with everything else on this car, it did not install easily. I had to modify the pocket to fit in the opening. The pocket was 1/2 inch too wide. I had to cut 1/4 inch from each side of the pocket all the way up to the shorter of the 2 mounting "legs". Do not cut all the way to the front opening of the pocket! Stop about 1 inch away. I also had to trim a couple other spots on the kit to get it to fit.

I removed the mounting bracket from the car to make it easier to measure everything. You can see here how much wider the pocket is than the opening it needs to go into.

Here's the kit after I cut the sides enough to fit. Theres also a whole cut for my iPod cable so it can come through the pocket.

Heres another view

The shorter leg is about 1/4-1/5 inch too short. I just skipped putting screw in them. They are the bottom legs. You could use some washers and a longer screw I suppose.

This tab has to be removed from each side as well.

I didnt close in the sides of the pocket because the mounting bracket is black plastic too so it looks fine.

And the final product

This was the most modifying I've ever had to do on a stereo install. If you measure carefully and keep your cuts clean it will turn out nice. Remember to but an equal amount from each side of the pocket or it will be off center.

As for the wiring harness, it was also a Best Kits brand. The only thing I had to do was attach the red ignition wire to another ignition switched wire. For some reason when I plugged it in, there was no power to the red wire. I tapped into the plug that houses the heated seats (Which I dont have). Otherwise it works fine. Hope this helps. I know I sure struggled with finding any info on it. Good luck!

Re: aftermarket stereo install for 00-01 Catera

Originally Posted by dawgjoose

Thanks For The Visual Install. It's Very Helpful. (thinking About Ditching The Bose In Mine.) I Need Mp3 Capabilities!

No prob. I think you have to get a different wiring harness for a Bose system because all the places I called asked me if mine was Bose. Its not so I dont know what else you have to do. I imagine you'd just need to have power to the stock amp to run the speakers. Just ask some install shops (Not Best Buy, an actual car audio installer) . Good luck. Let me know if you get stuck and need help.

Re: aftermarket stereo install for 00-01 Catera

i actually kept the bose system in mine. i installed a navigation system with mp3 capabilities and have it plugged into the CD changer on the factory bose system and have the hook up wire inside my glovebox. every couple weeks just plug my laptop in and add all the new music i got downloaded. stores 10 gigs of music. i have the iway 500 by lawrence. i'll post pictures as soon as i get a new camera, mine went for a swim =(

Re: aftermarket stereo install for 00-01 Catera

I have reposted the pics so everyone can see them since my old web host went out of business taking my domain name with them.

The install kit I bought was by Best Kits. It says its for a 96-01 Catera/ Deville/Grand Prix. This is the brand a lot of installers sell. I bought it from a professional shop.

As with everything else on this car, it did not install easily. I had to modify the pocket to fit in the opening. The pocket was 1/2 inch too wide. I had to cut 1/4 inch from each side of the pocket all the way up to the shorter of the 2 mounting "legs". Do not cut all the way to the front opening of the pocket! Stop about 1 inch away. I also had to trim a couple other spots on the kit to get it to fit.

I removed the mounting bracket from the car to make it easier to measure everything. You can see here how much wider the pocket is than the opening it needs to go into.

Here's the kit after I cut the sides enough to fit. Theres also a whole cut for my iPod cable so it can come through the pocket.

Heres another view

The shorter leg is about 1/4-1/5 inch too short. I just skipped putting screw in them. They are the bottom legs. You could use some washers and a longer screw I suppose.

This tab has to be removed from each side as well.

I didnt close in the sides of the pocket because the mounting bracket is black plastic too so it looks fine.

And the final product

This was the most modifying I've ever had to do on a stereo install. If you measure carefully and keep your cuts clean it will turn out nice. Remember to cut an equal amount from each side of the pocket or it will be off center. You cant tell its been cut once you install it since everything is black inside the pocket.

Re: aftermarket stereo install for 00-01 Catera

i bought a kit from circut city and it fit like a glove. i did do isystem so i had to rit on a pre-facelift cat but no modification needed except a few clips pulled off but it has instructions telling you which ones to pull. I did it on a bose system so i had to run wires to the amp in the back. I think i'm going to run it all on a new amp too.

Re: aftermarket stereo install for 00-01 Catera

Im slowly gathering my parts for this adventure with my Cat. Its becoming quite the kit car. Anyways I found this site which lists part No#'s and has instructions in PDF format. Google metraonline to get the link since I cant post links yet. I have gotten the faceplate and it lists pretty much all of the mod's you made with yours but is precut for them. Will post more as I progress.

Re: aftermarket stereo install for 00-01 Catera

Originally Posted by Sabresch

Im slowly gathering my parts for this adventure with my Cat. Its becoming quite the kit car. Anyways I found this site which lists part No#'s and has instructions in PDF format. Google metraonline to get the link since I cant post links yet. I have gotten the faceplate and it lists pretty much all of the mod's you made with yours but is precut for them. Will post more as I progress.

Damn!! Wish I had that kit when I did mine. I was in a small town at the time so maybe they didnt have an updated version. You really should never have to modify a kit like that to make it work

Re: aftermarket stereo install for 00-01 Catera

Did you guys end up getting the model number from Metra? Is your kit a Double DIN or Single? Never mind, for all those that want it, the part no Metra Electronics Corp. - 99-2004. Full PDF intructions are nice

Re: aftermarket stereo install for 00-01 Catera

Originally Posted by Matera97

Did you guys end up getting the model number from Metra? Is your kit a Double DIN or Single? Never mind, for all those that want it, the part no Metra Electronics Corp. - 99-2004. Full PDF intructions are nice

Re: aftermarket stereo install for 00-01 Catera

Sorry forgot to post that, to busy printing them off, lol. So I got a little question. I know the post facelift Bose system has speakers on the rear shelf. Did the prefacelift have these speakers as well? I dont' think I have the Bose(glass display was gone when bought), which blows, cause I don't have the rear shelf speakers. I do however see where they are suposed to go in the rear shelf. Has anyone installed 6.5s in the rear self and cut out the holes in the fibre glass top?

Re: aftermarket stereo install for 00-01 Catera

Originally Posted by Matera97

Sorry forgot to post that, to busy printing them off, lol. So I got a little question. I know the post facelift Bose system has speakers on the rear shelf. Did the prefacelift have these speakers as well? I dont' think I have the Bose(glass display was gone when bought), which blows, cause I don't have the rear shelf speakers. I do however see where they are suposed to go in the rear shelf. Has anyone installed 6.5s in the rear self and cut out the holes in the fibre glass top?

I have a non-Bose system and have the same thing as you.(post face lift though) A grill that goes across the rear deck. But underneath looks like its all metal and you couldnt get a speaker to drop in that spot. Maybe some shallow 4x6's? I wonder if the Bose has cut outs there.

Re: aftermarket stereo install for 00-01 Catera

I know that grill that you're talking about, there is nothing under that as far as I'm aware, possibly some tweeters. Take a look in the trunk up at the rear deck. Mine has the holes underneath, but peices of metal were poorly welded there, probably will just pop off with a flat head. I'm thinking that once I get the after market deck up front, I will pop the metal peices off, drop some 6.5s in with base cups, and hook them up to an amp. Aside from putting a 12" woofer in. I'm thinking that a customer box or mount over the left rear wheel section of the trunk would look really clean, I don't think that it will hold a 12 though, possibly a ten, don't want to go as far as an 8 though. Catera00, do you already have a sub in? If you do, where did you run your power cable through the firewall?

Re: aftermarket stereo install for 00-01 Catera

Originally Posted by Matera97

I know that grill that you're talking about, there is nothing under that as far as I'm aware, possibly some tweeters. Take a look in the trunk up at the rear deck. Mine has the holes underneath, but peices of metal were poorly welded there, probably will just pop off with a flat head. I'm thinking that once I get the after market deck up front, I will pop the metal peices off, drop some 6.5s in with base cups, and hook them up to an amp. Aside from putting a 12" woofer in. I'm thinking that a customer box or mount over the left rear wheel section of the trunk would look really clean, I don't think that it will hold a 12 though, possibly a ten, don't want to go as far as an 8 though. Catera00, do you already have a sub in? If you do, where did you run your power cable through the firewall?

I'll have to check that out cause that would be nice to have speakers in the rear deck. I dont have an amp in this car. I'm gonna get an Infinity Basslink which has a built in amp. Thought it would look nice tucked up in that cut out on the driver's side in front of the wheel well (I think thats where you were talking about).

I hadnt figured out where in the firewall to come through yet. I know there a spot on the drivers side where a vacuum line goes through. Otherwise I'll just run the power wire out the bottom of the trunk (and seal it with some silicone)and run it under the car with some shielding to protect it and then run some rca's up to the deck under the carpet and center console.

I just need to get a Basslink. I have a couple amps, a crossover and a 12" in a box from another system. Maybe I'll sell those or trade em for one.